Leo C.
Scout
ScoutWinding Hills Park
Nice but dated
Nice campground, bathrooms are clean but dated, first come first serve for the sites.
Camping near West Harrison, NY
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The area surrounding West Harrison, New York provides several camping options within an hour's drive, including established campgrounds like Croton Point Park and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Both tent and RV camping are available, with some locations offering cabin rentals, yurts, and lean-to shelters. Croton Point Park, situated along the Hudson River approximately 20 miles northwest of West Harrison, features water and electric hookups for RVs while also accommodating tent campers. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, located about 10 miles northeast of West Harrison in Pound Ridge, offers more primitive camping experiences with lean-to shelters situated along hiking trails.
Reservations are essential at most campgrounds in the region, particularly during the peak summer season when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, including Croton Point Park and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, though amenities may be limited during winter months. "Ward Pound Ridge is very well known to the locals as a great place for sled-riding in winter and a place for big group gatherings," noted one camper in their review. Road access to campgrounds is generally good, with most sites accessible via paved roads. Cell service is typically available throughout the region, though coverage may vary in more remote areas of the parks. Bathroom facilities range from modern shower houses to basic vault toilets depending on the campground.
Campers frequently mention the proximity to hiking trails as a significant advantage of camping in this region. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation receives positive reviews for its extensive trail network, with one visitor noting "there are over 40 miles of trails in this area." Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, with deer sightings frequently reported. While some campgrounds like Mountain Lakes Park offer peaceful lake views and fishing opportunities, others like Croton Point Park provide Hudson River access. Noise levels vary considerably between campgrounds, with some reviewers mentioning train noise at Croton Point Park: "There is a train depot right outside and you can hear them shunting trains all night." Sites at most developed campgrounds offer fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby access to drinking water, though wilderness camping options typically require carrying in all supplies.
Best Campgrounds near West Harrison (66)
1. Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
"15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"
"Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."
from $21 - $24 / night
Check Availability2. Croton Point Park
"Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around."
"Was close to bear mountains state part and the train station is right there!"
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability3. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
"Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."
"The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability4. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
"When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot."
"We were right next to the entrance for hiking trails which was convenient. The facilities are a bit of a walk, but that means it is spread out and there's plenty of room to relax and have fun."
from $21 / night
Check Availability5. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center — Harriman State Park
"This was beautiful campground with an even nicer lake. You are able to do a hike around the lake."
"Beautiful lakes all over the place. The AMC camp in Harriman is fantastic too! Those are reserved and paid cabins and platforms."
6. Sebago Cabin Camp — Harriman State Park
"It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
"This place is only an hour away from NYC with so much to do and see. These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge."
from $130 / night
Check Availability7. Liberty Harbor RV Park
"Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City."
"Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."
from $145 - $180 / night
Check Availability8. Mountain Lakes Park
"Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in."
"A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
9. West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area
"Love the proximity to NYC - I always look for areas that are not too far, but not too close to NY. Beautiful but small-ish tent sites."
"We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability10. Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road Primitive
"Suffern-Bear Mountain from Gate Hill Road is a high difficulty 15 mile out and back trail. At one point of the trail is a very difficult, but doable, rock scramble up the side of the mountain."
Drive Time
- 30 min from New York, NY
- 35 min from Bridgeport, CT
- 37 min from Kiryas Joel, NY
- 52 min from New Haven, CT
Recent Camping Photos near West Harrison, NY
202 Photos of 66 West Harrison Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Croton Point Park
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Tentrr Signature Site - Hunter Brook Mountain
Clarence Fahnestock State Park CampgroundK
Blydenburgh County ParkK
Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
Malouf's Mountain Campground
Staten Island — Gateway National Recreation Area - CLOSED for 2025
Wawayanda Group Shelter
Black Bear RV ParkT
Recent Reviews near West Harrison, NY
423 Reviews of 66 West Harrison Campgrounds
Edwin R.ScoutCheesequake State Park Campground
Park uses county cops to shut down park by 9pm.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, I rented a trailer and brought my family to Cheesequake State Park to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary over the extended Labor Day weekend. Around 9:20 PM—well before the park's designated 10:00 PM quiet hours—we were sitting inside our canopy, playing Jenga, and listening to low background music. Two officers from the Matawan Police Department approached our campsite. They were polite and courteous, simply offering a standard reminder to wrap things up by 10:00 PM. Before they could leave, however, a third, senior officer intervened. Wanting to"show them how it's done," he made the two polite officers return and stand by to watch as he demonstrated how to aggressively harass campers. Flashlight in hand, the senior officer approached with an immediate hostile attitude, treating us like criminals as he demanded to know who rented the site. He began reiterating rules and claimed we had too many vehicles. We had three cars, one belonging to my brother-in-law's girlfriend, who was visiting with her daughter. She had paid the$10 visitor fee at the main office and was instructed by staff to obtain the gate access code from us, the primary renters, if she got locked in. No staff member ever informed her of an 8:00 PM visitor departure deadline, leading us to reasonably assume visitors were permitted until quiet hours began at 10:00 PM. The officer rudely snapped that she had been given wrong information. The senior officer then used profanity in front of three small children, aggressively telling her to ("get her shit and get the fuck out!") in that manner or use profanity, the officer went from hostile to furious. He angrily declared that these were official violations and threatened that he could be issuing us tickets instead. Desperately searching for anything and everything to throw at us, he demanded that we turn off our idling car—which was supplying power to our campsite—and instructed us to make sure the campfire was doused before shutting down for the night. He then proceeded to shine his flashlight into our private setup—including our canopy, tents, and the inside of our trailer—searching for any other possible violation while the two polite officers were forced to watch. What was supposed to be a special 10th wedding anniversary celebration with my family was completely ruined by a senior officer misusing his authority to put on an unnecessary display of intimidation. Worse than just ruining our night, he spent that evening teaching those two police officers how to be bad cops. He corrupted two officers in real time, demonstrating firsthand exactly why most people have lost faith in the police force. The next day we was ready for them. We turned off our lights and quietly by the fire while they went next door to harass an asian family that had just set up camp and had their leds lights on.
- e
edgar V.ScoutBlack Bear RV Park
Super clean and quiet
Past reviews has mentioned that the office seems to be closed often, while I found that to be true I had no reason to contact anyone. This is definitely one of the cleanest quiets site I’ve ever visited
- KKelly B.
GuideClarence Fahnestock State Park Campground
Check site photos first
Definitely a wide variety of sites—look at the site pictures before booking—there are two areas where it’s just an open field with bonfires and picnic tables that I’d avoid. I could see a large group going there or something but personally it doesn’t offer any privacy.
BUT if you book one of the other sites that DOES have privacy you’ll be in camping heaven. The “hike in” sites are more like “walk-in,” I was worried at first but it’s some are as little as a few yards from the road. The most annoying part was lugging the cooler back and forth, but totally worth it
- JJoyceScout
Beaver Pond Campground in Harriman State Park
Bare bones
No hookups. It was wooded, quiet and dark at night. I used the dump station on my way out. The first time I ever saw a poop fountain. The sewer opening sticks up above ground level. The cover swivels away, so I couldn't put it on top of my hose. And then, when I tried to rinse it, there was nowhere for it to go, because the inlet is elevated.
Lauren Q.ScoutJellystone Park™ Gardiner
Overall good stay
We stay at a lot of Jellystone parks so have become accustomed to the park layouts and activities. This one was well maintained with clean facilities. Some things like the mini golf and fire pits needed maintenance. The pools were nice but get very busy later in the day. The sites up on the hills are nice but beware, it’s a hill! There is little to no WiFi or cell service or it gets easily bogged down, so be ready for that. Food was basic but good. Some activities like bingo were a bit chaotic and there were a lot of ground hornets around the jumping pillows. Would totally go again.
- Sue B.
RangerWawayanda Group Shelter
Appalachian Trail Shelter/Campsite
This is an A.T. shelter and campsite. First come, first served. Privy was nice. Flat tentsites for 6 or more. Good for Hammocking also.
S G.ScoutMahlon Dickerson Reservation
Primitive
The main issue with the sites was that they were primitive -- no water. The campsites were basically just wooden platforms, with a picnic table and fire pit. There were also a lot of bugs, though this may be due to the rain. The location itself was fairly pretty and there were a number of hiking trails of not-overly-serious difficulty. The particular site we picked left is a little farther from our car than we would have liked, but for other sites you can bring your car closer.
- SStephanie P.Guide
Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY
Not park and camp available
The park was open but camping was not. After a little extra digging they do have a few sites, but hike in only.
Guide to West Harrison
Campsites near West Harrison, New York offer diverse overnight accommodations within a 30-45 minute drive. The region features hilly terrain with elevations ranging from 200-1,000 feet, creating varied camping experiences across multiple county and state parks. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights in the 40-50°F range.
What to do
Hiking extensive trail networks: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features over 40 miles of trails through diverse terrain. "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area," notes one visitor.
Swimming in lake beaches: Beaver Pond Campground offers a lifeguard-monitored sandy beach during summer. "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out," one camper reports.
Winter activities: Seasonal camping offers year-round options with dedicated winter activities. "Ward Pound Ridge is very well known to the locals as a great place for sled-riding in winter (Pell Hill area) and a place for big group gatherings," shares a frequent visitor.
What campers like
Platform camping: Beaver Pond Campground offers raised platform sites. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space and are not camping on top of your neighbor. Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained," according to one review.
Wildlife sightings: Local parks offer opportunities to observe native animals. "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great," notes a visitor.
Proximity to NYC: Clarence Fahnestock State Park provides an escape close to the city. "When you are camping with a large group of friends and don't all have access to a car, this is the perfect spot. MetroNorth takes you right into Cold Spring, a charming, quaint town with antique shops and beautiful views of the Hudson. From there, it is a short drive to the campgrounds."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Campgrounds have different site layouts and privacy levels. At Croton Point Park, "Tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can. Dumpster and water near sites. The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm."
Bear activity: Wildlife precautions are essential at some parks. "Welcome to Bear Mountain grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground... He offers us a highlighted map to our site, wishes us a good stay, and gives us the run down on bear activity in the area."
Off-season advantages: Visiting during non-peak times provides a different experience. "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great. Expect to purchase firewood, although scrounging for kindling was possible."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mountain Lakes Park offers family-friendly amenities. "A gorgeous piece of land that contains lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
Cell service considerations: Most campgrounds maintain reliable connectivity. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal."
Cabin options for beginners: First-time campers can ease into outdoor experiences. "I took my 5 year-old-son and wife, all of us first time campers. This place was great. The site was very nice, all the people friendly and area beautiful."
Tips from RVers
RV hookups and limitations: Sebago Cabin Camp offers limited RV options. "They have rustic cabins. These do not have plumbing or heat. It is a step up from cabin camping. They also have a beach behind it."
Site leveling: Most RV sites in the region require minimal leveling. "We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds maintain different services throughout the year. "Clean park with a place to swim but only within buoys and when a life guard is present. Only one or two bathrooms in the whole place so be prepared to go for a walk when you have to go."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in West Harrison?
Where can I find camping in West Harrison?
West Harrison offers several camping options within a short drive. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park provides affordable tent camping with rates around $15 per night for New York residents. For those seeking a camping experience with convenient city access, Croton Point Park is an excellent choice, located along the Hudson River with swimming, hiking, and kayaking opportunities. Mountain Lakes Park and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation are also nearby options for campers looking to explore the West Harrison area.
When is the best time of year to camp in West Harrison?
When is the best time of year to camp in West Harrison?
The optimal camping season in West Harrison runs from late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer months provide warm temperatures ideal for swimming and water activities at places like Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, which offers reasonable tent rates with private spaces and fire pits near the ocean. For a unique experience, Peace and Carrots Farm Bluebird Tiny Home makes for a memorable September trip with mild temperatures. Fall brings spectacular foliage to the region, while spring offers fewer crowds but potentially more variable weather conditions.
What amenities are available at West Harrison campgrounds?
What amenities are available at West Harrison campgrounds?
Campgrounds near West Harrison offer varied amenities to suit different camping styles. Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground features an open beach on Canopus Lake, making it ideal for swimming and water activities. Liberty Harbor RV Park caters primarily to RVs but has a small tent area, with the added benefit of easy transit access to New York City. Many campgrounds in the region provide fire pits, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Some locations offer additional amenities like swimming areas, hiking trails, kayaking opportunities, and family-oriented activities.
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